As "The Wolf" said...

[Sleeter]

..."Well, let's not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet."

I know everybody seems to be a bit excited about Senator Florez seemingly taking a stance against the MLPA process but everybody needs to take a deep breath and keep things in perspective. I do believe the senators involvement has been positive and he has helped to shed some light on a few issues that we know have plagued the MLPA Initiative for some time, funding for monitoring and enforcement being of particular interest. I think he may also be able to pull back the curtain a bit on the "curious" relationship between the funders and several people integrated within the process. Those are all good things and I hope his involvement straightens some of this stuff out. I have my doubts though and here is why.

First of all this is politics; 100% pure politics. I do not for a second believe that the involvement of any state level politician is done purely because it is righteous. Politicians are calculating and will only stick their neck out if there is some potential upside down the line. That is OK (I guess), but it also means that positions and attitudes can change quickly given specific political pressure. It is also difficult for me to see any political upside to coming to the defense of a miniscule saltwater fishing crowd - especially at the risk of incurring the wrath of the enviros.

I also would like someone to tell me to name just one time that any California politician, Democrat or Republican, has come to the aid of fishermen on the issue of Marine Protected Areas. Coming out against MPAs (and thus "ocean conservation"; because thats the way it will be sold) is about as popular as an ice machine in an igloo. Should we believe that this is changing all of a sudden? Not me, not for a second.

I think it is important to keep in mind that NOTHING has changed yet. It is also important to remember that finally, at least one senator , APPEARS to finally be doing their job. But nothing has happened yet and until something positive actually comes from this I will remain a skeptic. I have personally been burned by these people before, told they would do this and that for us, and then when it came time for action - nothing. It would not surprise me if that happened again. I do not say this to imply anything negative about Florez but he is not "one of us" and in my opinion California politicians have everything to prove before any thanks or credit is handed out. Speaking at a dinner and sending one letter hardly qualifies one for praise.

Most important here is that while we all believe there are some real gross inequities with the process, there is no "silver bullet" that makes this all go away. Should a senate hearing occur I can guarantee you all that the people in charge of the process will come ready with answers. Of course we will not agree with a lot of what they say but the Senators might feel satisfied with their responses. Should that happen then where will we be?

Our best option is to continue advocating for the ONLY proposal that met ALL science guidelines and did so while having the lowest socioeconomic impact - 2XA. We have to live with these regulations, not the politicians. They will long have forgotten about all of this...

Anyways, just my opinion.

[John Sturdivant]

Great editorial Ben...If anyone knows about the Political bullshit you do....

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxuHYVmWlmU"]YouTube - mr.wolfe[/ame]

[FINSEEKER]

Your a wise man Ben.

[zimo]

I love a good skeptic, Right On!!

[FORDOTY]

His name is Ben Sleeter and he is my friend.

[Pacific Hooker]

I'm figuring that someone fucked over the senator and it payback. He's using the fisherman for a cover. It does open peoples wallet at a fund raiser though.

[LotsaLuck]

Damn, I was hoping for a BJ. Right on the money there Ben.

[NoyoJim]

Ben, I agree with you - there's no one silver bullet.

I do think the legislative approach is very important. Certainly the opponents of fishing are using that angle and we need to play the game.

That's why it's important to contact our local reps in the state senate and assembly.

Sen. Pat Wiggins has been hearing a lot from her constituents on the North Coast and I have been working with her fisheries staff person, Fred Euphrat. Fred has been very helpful and responsive to the fishermen's concerns.

We also owe some thanks to Assemblyman Wes Chesbro, who backed us up in his comments at the Fisheries Forum last week. Dan Bacher was there and he took note when Wes said that he was very skeptical about the MLPA process. Chesbro said he had worked with fishermen throughout his legislative career and that we are the real conservationists, while people from the big enviro groups (he was looking at Kaitlin Gaffney at this point) have never done any real restoration work.

They are not likely to repeal the MLPA statute but they have enormous influence over the outcome of the regulations. Anything we can do to raise the profile of our support for 2 XA in the legislature is all to the good.

[Sleeter]

Anything we can do to raise the profile of our support for 2 XA in the legislature is all to the good.

Totally agree, Jim, especially on your last point. In fact, that was the real reason for my post. We (the people in the Bay Area) need to do everything we can to get 2XA as the adopted option - not for those of us in the south (we already got most of what we want even in the IPA) but for the guys from Bodega north. I just hope this does not turn into a side show with people hoping for something that has no chance of happening. In all of our contacts to state representatives we should be emphasizing the value of 2XA and how it is the only real solution for the ENTIRE North Central Coast.

[arch]

Thanks Ben...2XA is the way to go. Cate and I worked hard to bring this part of the coast together as a team...but sometimes there is one or two that are only looking out for themselves. Some have just given up, some dont even give a shit, and others like myself who have live and been in business here, both on the water and on land know what is right for this part of the coast. Our economics are fragile and delicate and our summer business depend on low tides, flat oceans and the fisherman that follow the salmon and abalone. With no salmon fishing, abalone fisherman make our summer business get above of even. As a property owners, both Cate & I know that good stewardship and management of our saltwater resources have given our ranches what they have today. No State or County Park could even come close to having and managing the resources we have today. We have given enforcement to our lands, access to state waters and the resources for 80 to 130 years at no cost to any state or county agency.

There is no real guarantee what resources we will have in 50 years, what will our grandchildren have????? At the present...2XA is the best we have to offer for a temporary fix for an unknown future. The real problem will occur when Ken Wisemans grandson and Karen Garrisons grandson mate and run the next "transparent process" under the control of the Packards, Great, Great, Great Grandchildren. GOD BLESS THEM ALL...THEY ARE &^%$ WEIRD